Chapter 268
Nate and Kelly both froze when they turned and saw Sharon standing beside them. Neither of them had noticed when she arrived.
Sharon didn’t even glance their way. She looked directly at the sales associate and asked, “May I try it on?”
The associate’s eyes lit up. “Of course,” she replied quickly.
These days, wealthy customers kept a low profile. No one judged by appearances anymore.
Sharon slipped the bracelet onto her wrist and examined it carefully.
Nate, finally snapping out of his shock, sneered. “Sharon, this isn’t a place for someone like you. You think you can try on jewelry like that? Aren’t you afraid you’ll rub your poverty all over it? Take it off. Kelly already picked that one.”
Sharon lifted an eyebrow. “Didn’t Kelly just say it was too expensive? That she couldn’t afford it and didn’t want it?”
Nate didn’t miss a beat. His voice was sharp, laced with mockery.
“Hah. We can’t afford it? And you can? A woman who doesn’t even work, who lives off men like a parasite? You expect anyone to believe you can afford that bracelet? Don’t make me laugh.”
He turned to the associate. “Well? What are you standing around for? Make her take it off.”
The saleswoman looked at him, her voice calm. “Sir, are you saying you’d like to purchase this bracelet?”
Nate’s breath caught. He wanted to say yes. But the truth was-this was out of his league.
He’d taken a hit in the stock market recently. His liquid assets were running low. Reality, brutal and clear, reined him in.
“Sharon,” he snapped, “you’re just a gold digger blowing Carter’s money. Have you no shame? You’re the poster girl for shamelessness!”
If he couldn’t have it, then neither could she.
He raised his voice.
“Everyone, look over here! This woman hasn’t worked in years. She lives off a man’s wallet, parading around like she earned it. Take a good look at her face. Don’t let someone like her scam you too!”
All at once, every customer and sales associate in the store turned toward them. 1
Kelly tugged at his arm gently, her tone falsely sweet. “Nate, if Sharon likes it, maybe we should let her have it?”
“Let her have it?” Nate shot Sharon a contemptuous look. “Would she even be able to buy it if it weren’t for some man bankrolling her?”
Sharon smiled faintly. Her voice was cool. “What’s mine will always find its way to me. But by all means, Nate-keep pretending you can afford to play in my league. I guess marrying well has its perks.”
She glanced at the bracelet. “Just five million? Pocket change. I’d drop ten without blinking. But you? Can’t even outbid a housewife. Pathetic.”
The moment the crowd realized Sharon was spending her husband’s money-her legitimate husband–they all averted their
eyes.
So she wasn’t a mistress after all.
The tables turned instantly. Kelly and Nate’s expressions darkened with humiliation.
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Nate pointed rudely at her, fuming. “Sharon, just wait. I’m going to tell Carter everything you said and did today!”
Sharon chuckled.
“Nate, you’re a grown man in your twenties. Why do you sound like a weaned toddler, crying to tell on someone every time something doesn’t go your way? Don’t you know how to handle your own problems? But sure, if tattling’s what you’re best at, go ahead. I’ll be right here.”
She handed her bank card to the associate. “Charge it.”
The saleswoman took it with both hands, respectfully, and started toward the register.
Watching the bracelet about to be snatched away from him, Nate lost it.
He shouted in frustration, “This jewelry store belongs to the Biggs family! Just look at who’s standing next to me – Carter Biggs’s one and only true love, the woman he dotes on above all! Her photos are all over the news!”
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